Front and Center: Black Representation in Medicine
Published on Saturday, February 26, 2022
By: Gary Pettus, gpettus@umc.edu
Editor's Note: In honor of Black History Month’s 2022 theme, Black Health and Wellness, we want to celebrate the contributions, breakthroughs and cultural richness of Black professionals and students at UMMC. See more Front and Center features.
Representing a majority of the membership of the Black Representation in Medicine group are, back row, from left: Mia McFadden (M1), Angelica Smith (enrolled in the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences), Jaharah Muhammad (M1), Connor Bluntson (M2), Jordan Maury (M3), Chad Ross (M4), Robert Tatum Jr. (M3), Aaron Winters (a second-year student in the School of Dentistry), Gregory Wilson (M3), Eric Lucas Jr. (M2) and Kenyatta Poe (M2); middle row, from left: Kymberlee Evans (M2), Marissa Anderson (M1), Keauna Hilton (M2), Jayla Mondy (M1), Aurielle Fowler (M1), Haley Williams (M1), Jasmine Ware (M1) and Taylor Christian (M4); front row, from left: Akeelein "A.J." Forrest (M2), Hali Peterson (M3) and Hannah Glenn (M2).
Around three dozen students at the University of Mississippi Medical Center are part of the Black Representation in Medicine (BRIM) program, created to help bring more African American men and women to the health care professions, specifically medicine.
The group is particularly focused on increasing the number of African Americans who apply, gain admission, and successfully matriculate in the School of Medicine at UMMC.
The students’ initiatives have included a tour of various Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Mississippi to discuss with students the opportunities available at UMMC.
Officers are Akeelein “A.J.” Forrest, president; Robert Tatum, vice president; Jordan Maury and Jacobi Holt, treasurers; Madyson Brown, secretary; Hali Peterson and Ariel Wilson, social media chairs; Taylor Christian, M4 representative; Gregory Wilson, M3 representative; and Connor Bluntson, M2 representative.
Dr. Demondes Haynes, professor of medicine and associate dean of medical school admissions, is the group’s advisor.